When Potomac Local ran this story about the Dale City K Mart closing, it generated a bittersweet moment for me.
For as long as I can remember, I have complained about the entrance to Dale City. I’ve always wanted our community to look beautiful and inviting. I’ve long hoped it would become a place to drive to, not through.
That ancient K-Mart has been an eyesore in the 30 years I’ve lived here. The huge, cracked asphalt parking lot with the newspaper dispensers, clothing receptacles and litter is an embarrassment to the Neabsco District.
Don’t think I haven’t tried through the years to help improve the appearance. I once attempted to organize a cleanup in the wooded area adjacent to K-Mart, but was told it was “dangerous for volunteers because of the homeless population” and that the land owner would take care of it. Since that time, I have repeatedly made complaints to Neighborhood Services inside the offices of Prince William County Government. My complaints would be addressed, but the trash and litter always returns.
So, I’m excited to see the K-Mart is closing, but I know it wasn’t just the store that caused a problem. The plight of the homeless population encamped at that location is a big, contributing factor. What will happen to those people in the woods once redevelopment begins? Our plans for the future simply must address the current reality.
Neabsco residents need to get involved with the “What’s next?” Prince William County staff should soon be hosting visioning sessions to get input from residents regarding renovation in that area near the exit off Interstate 95. What do you want to see happen in the Neabsco District?
Neabsco Action Alliance was formed to protect and promote the best interests of the residents of the Neabsco District and Dale City in particular. Now that I am leaving the area, I am still hoping someone will assume the NAA leadership. We have great mentorship and partnership in place. We’ve educated ourselves in how the county operates and learned what is possible for Dale City residents.
The K-Mart property is owned by a Hylton company as is all the surrounding land, except the land that has been donated to the Americans in Wartime Museum (NMAW) The Hylton family built Dale City and has made enormous contributions to our community. Now it’s time the Hylton corporations work with Prince William County and Neabsco residents to create a new beginning for Dale City.
What do you say Neabsco residents? Are you tired of coming off the 95 exit and looking right to Stonebridge and left to K-Mart? Do you want something to be proud of? It’s up to you. If you want the same old thing, just stay home and complain, but if you have vision, if you can imagine a better future, now is the time to start rallying!
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Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors easily approved the fiscal year 2025 budget with a few changes on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to take effect on July 1.
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To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
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Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
